Method and apparatus for slot-machine gaming

ABSTRACT

A gaming apparatus, such as a slot machine, that randomly determines a combination of symbols and pays prizes according to a determined payout table, is used to perform a gaming method similar to conventional slot machine play, but that permits greater interaction with the player. The gaming method provides the player with the option of increasing an amount wagered after at least one of the symbols has been determined. The method additionally provides the player with the option to randomly determine a symbol or symbols a second time, or to force a symbol to be the same as a symbol already determined, optionally at additional cost. The method includes making appropriate adjustments to a payout table, depending on the player&#39;s actions during game play.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/368,010, filed Mar. 26, 2002, whichapplication is specifically incorporated herein, in its entirety, byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for slot machinegaming, and more particularly, to type of slot machine gaming in which aplurality of actual or simulated reels are spun to determine acombination of symbols, wherein prizes are paid depending on theresulting combination.

2. Description of Related Art

The term “slot machine” is generally used herein to refer to anyautomatic machine designed to accept cash from a user in exchange forplaying a game of chance, and to pay a prize (“payout”) to the userdepending on the result of the game. The results of the game of chanceare determined by the slot machine. The user is not able to influencethe probability of winning, although some machines may provide the userwith limited influence over individual game results (i.e., provide a“nudge” function) to make playing the machine more appealing. Cash maybe accepted in any suitable form, including as redeemable tokens,currency or electronic credit. Similarly, prizes may be paid in anysuitable form.

Over the years, gamblers have come to expect a slot machine to typicallyinclude a pull arm for initiating a game, three or four spinningcylinders with colorful symbols, and a hopper into which winnings aredeposited in the form of currency or tokens. In most modern slotmachines, a plurality of actual or electronically simulated reels arespun to determine a combination of symbols, and prizes are paiddepending on the resulting combination. Certain combinations providehigher payouts, and the amount of payout is inversely related to theprobability of achieving a particular combination. The lower theprobability of achieving a combination, the higher the payout for thatcombination. For the many of the most common combinations, no prize ispaid.

The outcome of each game is randomly determined, but the operator isable to determine the percentage of money deposited that will be paidout, so that over the long run, the house always wins. The ratio ofmoney that is paid out in prizes for a particular machine, compared tothe amount paid to play, averaged over many plays, is known as the“payout ratio” for that machine. Different machines may have differentpayout ratios. In modern slot machines, the payout ratio of the machinescan be electronically set, and may be set differently in differentmachines.

While slot machines remain quite popular, a slot machine, unlike manyother games of chance, provides a minimal amount of interaction for theplayer. After the slot machine lever is pulled (or the start button ispressed, as the case may be), the machine play to obtain a result thatseems predetermined. As a result, many people find slot machine playrelatively boring. A slot machine that provided novel and moreinteractive methods of play may appeal to more potential players, andhold players' interest for a greater number of additional plays. It isdesirable, therefore, to provide a slot machine that permits a user toplay in a new, more interesting and engaging manner, while stillretaining certain characteristics of conventional slot machines.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for gaming, thatovercomes the limitations of the prior art. The invention preserves manyof the appealing features of slot-machine gaming, while permittinggreater interaction for the player during play of the game.

In an embodiment of the invention, the method permits the player towager additional money during play of the game, while at least one reelcontinues to spin. It should be appreciated that the slot machine mayemploy actual electronically-controlled physical reels according topopular traditional slot machine designs, or electronically simulatedreels displayed on one or more display screens, as also know in the art.Either way, so long as one or more reels continue to “spin,” theprobability of any particular combination being achieved may becalculated based on the symbol or symbols already determined by the reelor reels that have already been stopped—i.e., the state of the machineat that time.

Therefore, according to the invention, an additional wager may beaccepted at some point before all reels have stopped spinning, accordingto the probabilities determined by the machine state when the wager isaccepted. Optionally, the payoff table for the total amount wagered, orsome portion of it, may be displayed both before and after an additionalamount is wagered. For example, the payoff table for an initial onedollar wager may define a jackpot amount of $1000. After the first reelhas stopped on a symbol that can be part of a jackpot combination, theplayer may wish to increase the bet by a dollar. Because the probabilityof winning is higher when the machine is in this state, the jackpot willbe increased by some amount less than $1000, for example, by $400. For atotal wager of two dollars, the jackpot would be increased to a total of$1400, in this example.

In the alternative, or in addition, players may be given the option to“re-spin” one or more reels after at least one reel has stopped andbefore the game has terminated. If the player selects this option, thepayoff table is adjusted according to the effect that the additionalspin or spins has on winning. Because each additional spin increases thechances of winning, the slot machine should adjust the prize amountsdownward with each additional spin, permit the player to wageradditional money in exchange for re-spinning the reels, or somecombination of the foregoing. Optionally, the anticipated and/or actualplayoff table may be displayed before the user elects to re-spin a reel.

In an embodiment of the invention, the option to re-spin a reel may beprovided after all the reels have stopped, but before a prize has beenpaid. This option would be appropriate when the player has won a prizeamount less than the maximum amount achievable. In such case, a playermay be willing to forego the lesser prize for a chance to achieve agreater prize. Thus, a payoff table may be calculated for thecombinations that may result from the additional spin, using thewinnings from the last result as the amount of the wager. In thealternative, or in addition, a player may be permitted to wager anadditional amount in exchange for re-spinning a single reel, or somenumber of reels less than the total number of reels in the machine.

Also in the alternative, or in addition, the player may be given theoption to force a reel to stop at the same position as a previous reel.Again, if a player elects this option, the probability of winning isincreased, and so the payoff table should be adjusted generallydownwards, and/or additional money should be deposited.

The gaming machine may be configured to include each or any of theforegoing embodiments, in any desired combination. In other respects thegaming machine may operate as a conventional slot machine, therebyproviding the popular ambience and excitement of slot-machine gaming,but with more varied, more interesting, and more interactive playpossibilities.

A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus for gamingwill be afforded to those skilled in the art, as well as a realizationof additional advantages and objects thereof, by a consideration of thefollowing detailed description of the preferred embodiment. Referencewill be made to the appended sheets of drawings which will first bedescribed briefly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary gaming apparatus according to an embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating exemplary steps of a methodaccording to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for gaming, thatovercomes the limitations of the prior art. In the detailed descriptionthat follows, like element numerals are used to describe like elementsappearing in one or more of the figures.

FIG. 1 shows a exemplary slot machine 100 according to the invention.Slot machine 100 may closely resemble a traditional slot machine, butdiffers from a conventional slot machine in its operation.

Like a traditional machine, slot machine 100 has a plurality of reels104 bearing a plurality of different symbols. The current state of themachine and game results are displayed in the result window 128encompassing the reels 104. Reels 104 may be physical reels or may besimulated reels shown in a CRT, LCD, or other display device. Eitherway, reels 104 are operated under the control of a computer 102 as knownin the art, to display results randomly determined by the computer.Computer 102 may reside in the console of machine 100 (as shown), or inthe alternative, may be remotely located and connected to the reels viaa network connection. Whether or not machine 100 includes its owncomputer 102, multiple slot machines like machine 100 may be monitoredand/or controlled from a central location via a network connection, asknown in the art.

Machine 100 additionally includes a slot 112 wherein coins or tokens maybe deposited as payment, and/or a slot 114 for accepting credit cards ordebit cards, as known in the art. In general, any desired devices foraccepting payment may be included. Winnings may be deposited in hopper106. Machine 100 further comprises a plurality of buttons 116, 118, and120 for interacting with users, and a lever 110 for initiating play of agame, which are also connected to computer 102. Of course, the physicalform of these actuators is not restricted to the embodiment depicted. Bydepressing different ones of buttons 116, 118, and 120, a user mayinitiate various different modes of play afforded by the invention, asdescribed later in the specification.

Machine 100 further includes a view screen 122, such as a CRT, LCD,active matrix, or other display device, for communicating with usersbefore, during, and after play of a game. Such communication may beparticularly useful for instructing users that may not be familiar withthe novel methods of play that machine 100 may provide. Like otheractive elements of machine 100, view screen 122 may be operated underthe control of computer 102.

A display 108 showing a payout table, or portion of a payout table, mayalso be provided, as known in the art. The payout table display 108includes various symbol combinations, such as combination 124, and thepayout amount for the current bet, or for a bet of a pre-determinedsize, in an adjacent display 126. Unlike conventional machines in whichthe payout table does not change during play of a game, the payout tableis subject to adjustment, depending the actions of the user.Accordingly, changes to the payout table may be reflected on the displayduring play of a game. Display 108 may be operated under the control ofcomputer 102 to display the current payout table. In the alternative, orin addition, the current payout table, or portion of a payout table, maybe displayed in view screen 122.

Machine 100 further includes a loudspeaker 130 under the control of thecomputer 102. The loudspeaker may be used to generate bells and othertones popularly associated with slot machine play. It may also be usedto generate verbal messages, if desired. Verbal messages may be used toindicate to options available to the player in the novel method of gameplay. For example, if a reel is in condition for re-spinning, a messagemay state, “select ‘re-spin’ to spin the last reel again.” Suchinformation may also be presented on view screen 122.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating exemplary steps of a method 200for gaming using a machine such as slot machine 100. Method 200 maybegin with receipt of payment at step 202. Devices for receiving paymentin the form of tokens, coin, currency, credit cards, or debit cards arewell known in the art. Any suitable method for, receiving payment may beused. The payment received may comprise a wager on the game to beplayed.

At step 204, the machine's reels are “spun.” This may include the actualspinning of physical wheels bearing symbols, or a simulated spinning ofsimulated reels. It is not necessary that an actual or apparent rotationof a symbol reel be performed. In more exact terms, step 204 describesan event signifying that the game of chance has begun. A signal assimple as an illuminated light, or the sounding of a tone, wouldsuffice. The game itself involves nothing more than the random selectionof a combination of symbols, which can be performed efficiently by acomputer. The spinning of a symbol reel merely represents a moredramatic and more traditional signal for the start of a game, hearkeningback to the days in which the outcome was determined by the mechanicalaction of the spinning reels. Step 202 may be initiated by pulling alever arm or actuating some other form of start switch, if desired.

At step 206, at least one “reel” is “stopped,” while the remaining reelsremain “spinning.” In less traditional terms, step 206 describes theselection of a least one symbol of a symbol combination, and the displayof the selected symbol. Stopping a symbol reel with a symbol appearingin a view window is but one way to accomplish this. Another suitablemethod is to display the selected symbol on an electronic display.

At step 208, a determination is made whether the game is over. Ifsymbols remain to be selected, the game is obviously not over. Inaddition, unlike a traditional slot machine, the game is not necessarilyover even after all symbols have been selected, such as when all reelshave stopped. The user may elect to re-spin one or more reels, orotherwise re-select one or more symbols of the combination. Hence, ifall symbols have been selected, the game should not necessarily beconsidered over unless the player indicates that it is finished, eitherby taking some specified action or by abstaining from some action. Forexample, a player may be given the opportunity, after all the reels havestopped, to continue playing by pulling on the lever arm of the machine.If the player does not do so within a specified time, for example, fiveseconds, the game is considered over.

At step 210, a player may be offered the option of wagering anadditional amount. If the player selects this option, then additionalpayment is accepted at step 212. Selection of the option may beperformed in any suitable manner, for example, by depressing a button onthe console of the gaming machine. One way additional payment may beaccepted is by the deposit of additional money or tokens into themachine. Another way is by crediting some or all of the player's accruedwinnings to the additional wager. This may be appropriate, for example,if the player elects to re-spin after receiving a winning combination,or in machines that permit the accrual of winnings between games.

After payment is accepted, the payout table is adjusted at step 214.Methods of calculating a payout table are well understood in the art. Ingeneral terms, the payout table reflects the probability of each winningcombination, given the machines present state (e.g., one symbol alreadyselected), less the designated house percentage. In the case of anadditional wager, the adjusted payout table may be, in effect, the sumof two tables: the original table as it existed at the initiation of thegame, and a new table for the additional wager, given the probabilitiesas they exist at that time. Optionally, the player may be given theoption of viewing the adjusted payout table before, after, or bothbefore and after wagering an additional amount.

At step 216, the player may be given the option of forcing a second (orother) reel to stop at the position of a reel that has already stopped.By selecting this option, a player may increase the probability ofwinning, at the cost of a diminished payout. In more precise terms, aplayer may be given the option of causing one or more symbols of thecombination to be the same as a symbol already selected. For example, inthe case of a three-reel slot machine, the second reel may be caused tostop at the same symbol as the first reel, while the third reel remainsspinning, eventually coming to rest at a randomly selected position.Selection of this option may occur by any suitable method, such as byselecting a button on the machine console.

If the player elects to “force a stop”—i.e., cause a symbol of thecombination to be equal to a symbol already selected—then the payouttable is adjusted to account for the increased probability of winning,at step 218. As before, the player may be given the option of viewingthe adjusted payout table before and/or after electing this option.After the payout table is adjusted, the symbol is selected asdesignated, in other words, the reel is forced to stop at the selectedsymbol, and the game play returns to step 208 if all reels have stopped,or to step 206 if additional reels remain to be stopped, both stepspreviously discussed.

At step 222, the player may be given the option of “re-spinning areel”—i.e., rejecting a previously selected symbol in exchange foranother randomly selected symbol, again at the cost of a diminishedpayout to account for the increased probability of winning that thisoption affords. The player may select this option in any suitablemanner, such as by depressing a button on the console or pulling on thelever arm of the machine after a reel has stopped. Optionally, theplayer may be shown the adjustment to the payout table that selection ofthis option entails, before and/or after the option is selected. If theoption is selected, the payout table is appropriately adjusted at step224, and one or more of the stopped reels are spun—i.e., an alternatesymbol is randomly selected—at step 226. The method then returns to step206, previously discussed. If the re-spinning option is not selected atstep 222, the method may return directly to step 206.

The various options made available through steps 210, 216, and/or 222may considerably extend the length of play, provide for more interactionby the player, and allow the player to select the win probability versuspayout that fits her preferences or mood. Indeed, it is conceivable thatplay could be extended until the payout table is adjusted to some amountless than the initial wager for the highest-paying symbol combination,if desired. Eventually, however, the player will elect to terminate thegame, or the game will be otherwise deemed over, at step 208. Subsequentsteps 228, 230, 232 and 234 represent any suitable steps for terminatinga game, as known in the art. At step 228, the final symbol combinationis read. A prize amount is determined at step 230, based on the wageredamount and the final payout table. At step 232, if the result is not awinning result, operation of the machine terminates in preparation for anew game. If the result is a win, the calculated prize is paid at step234, and then operation 200 terminates. Prizes are typically paid incoins or tokens, although any suitable payment method may be used.

Having thus described a preferred embodiment of a method and apparatusfor gaming, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art thatcertain advantages of the within system have been achieved. It shouldalso be appreciated that various modifications, adaptations, andalternative embodiments thereof may be made within the scope and spiritof the present invention. For example, an embodiment combining differentinnovative features has been illustrated, but it should be apparent thatthe inventive concepts described above would be equally applicable tomethods that employ only a selected few, or even a single one, of thesenovel features. The invention is further defined by the followingclaims.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A method, comprising: initiating, at a gamingapparatus, a game of chance, wherein the game of chance includes a firstpayout table that defines first win amounts for selected symbolcombinations based on an initial wager amount; the gaming apparatusrandomly determining at least one symbol of a combination of symbols;the gaming apparatus displaying the at least one symbol prior todetermining every symbol of the combination of symbols; the gamingapparatus receiving an input after the displaying of the at least onesymbol, the input directing the gaming apparatus to randomly determinethe at least one symbol a second time; in response to receiving theinput, the gaming apparatus adjusting the first payout table after theinput is received based on the at least one symbol to provide a secondpayout table defining a second win amount for a particular one of theselected symbol combinations and for a total wager amount equal to a sumof the initial wager amount and an additional wager amount, the secondwin amount being not equal to a corresponding one of the first winamounts defined by the first payout table for the particular one of theselected symbol combinations and for the total wager amount; the gamingapparatus randomly determining the at least one symbol of thecombination of symbols a second time, in response to the input; thegaming apparatus randomly determining at least one remaining symbol ofthe combination of symbols to determine a game result; and the gamingapparatus awarding a prize amount based on the game result and thesecond payout table.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the input isreceived after each symbol of the combination of symbols has beendetermined a first time, and wherein the input is received before thegame result has been determined.
 23. The method of claim 21, furthercomprising: the gaming apparatus accepting an additional wager amountafter displaying the at least one symbol.
 24. The method of claim 21,wherein the gaming apparatus includes a slot machine having a pluralityof reels, the plurality of reels bearing a plurality of symbols, andwherein displaying the at least one symbol includes stopping at leastone of the plurality of reels while remaining reels of the slot machinecontinue spinning.
 25. The method of claim 21, wherein the gamingapparatus includes a slot machine having at least one view screen, theat least one view screen displaying a plurality of simulated reels, eachsimulated reel bearing a plurality of symbols, and wherein displayingthe at least one symbol includes displaying at least one of theplurality of simulated reels in a stopped position, while remainingsimulated reels of the slot machine are displayed as spinning.
 26. Themethod of claim 21, further comprising: displaying, at the gamingapparatus, at least a portion of the second payout table after adjustingthe first payout table based on the additional wager amount and the atleast one symbol.
 27. The method of claim 21, further comprising:displaying, at the gaming apparatus, at least a portion of ananticipated payout table, prior to adjusting the first payout tablebased on the additional wager amount and the at least one symbol,wherein the anticipated payout table comprises the second payout table.28. A computer system comprising: a processor unit; a memory configuredto store instructions that, in response to execution by the processorunit, cause the computer system to perform operations comprising:maintaining data for a game of chance, wherein the data includes a firstpayout table, wherein the first payout table includes a win amount basedon a first wager amount, and wherein the win amount corresponds to aselected combination of symbols; determining a particular symbol;displaying the particular symbol, wherein the displaying precedes adetermination of a game result based on the particular symbol; receivinga command for the particular symbol to be replaced with another symbol;in response to receiving the command, generating a second payout table;and determining a result of the game of chance based on the secondpayout table, wherein the result is at least partially dependent uponthe particular symbol being replaced in response to the command.
 29. Thecomputer system of claim 28, wherein generating the second payout tableincludes adjusting the first payout table.
 30. The computer system ofclaim 28, wherein the second payout table includes the win amount basedon a second wager amount, and wherein the second wager amount is greaterthan the first wager amount.
 31. The computer system of claim 28,wherein the operations further comprise: determining a probability of agiven combination of symbols, wherein the given combination of symbolsincludes the another symbol.
 32. The computer system of claim 31,wherein the operations further comprise: determining the givencombination of symbols that includes the another symbol.
 33. Thecomputer system of claim 28, wherein the operations further comprise:displaying at least a portion of the second payout table, wherein thedisplaying precedes the determining of the result of the game of chance.34. The computer system of claim 28, wherein the operations furthercomprise: receiving a second wager amount, wherein the second payouttable includes the win amount based on a sum of the first and secondwager amount.
 35. The computer system of claim 28, wherein theoperations further comprise: displaying a plurality of reels, theplurality of reels bearing a plurality of symbols.
 36. A computerreadable storage device comprising instructions that are executable by acomputing device to cause the computing device to perform operationscomprising: initiating a game of chance, wherein the game of chanceincludes a first payout table that defines first win amounts forselected symbol combinations based on an initial wager amount;determining at least one symbol of a combination of symbols; displayingthe at least one symbol prior to determining every symbol of thecombination of symbols; after the displaying of the at least one symbol,receiving an input for the at least one symbol to be determined a secondtime; in response to receiving the input, generating a second payouttable, wherein the second payout table defines a second win amount for aparticular one of the selected symbol combinations and for a total wageramount equal to a sum of the initial wager amount and an additionalwager amount, the second win amount being not equal to a correspondingone of the first win amounts defined by the first payout table for theparticular one of the selected symbol combinations and for the totalwager amount; determining the at least one symbol of the combination ofsymbols a second time; determining at least one remaining symbol of thecombination of symbols to determine a game result based on the secondpayout table.
 37. The computer readable storage device of claim 36,wherein the operations further comprise determining a payout amountbased on the game result and the second payout table.
 38. The computerreadable storage device of claim 36, wherein displaying the at least onesymbol includes displaying a reel at a stopped position, the reelbearing a plurality of symbols.
 39. The computer readable storage deviceof claim 36, wherein the operations further comprise receiving aninitial and a second wager amount.
 40. The computer readable storagedevice of claim 36, wherein the operations further comprise: determininga probability of a given combination of symbols, wherein the givencombination of symbols includes the at least one symbol determined thesecond time.